owards Highly Efficient Chalcopyrite Photocathodes for Water Splitting: The Use of Cocatalysts beyond P

Author(s)

Salomao, Arthur Corrado ^[1] ; dos Santos Araujo, Mileny ^[1] ; dos Santos, Hugo Leandro Sousa ^[1] ; Medina, Marina ^[1] ; Mascaro, Lucia Helena ^[1] ; Andrade Junior, Marcos Antonio Santana ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Dept Chem, Rodovia Washington Luis, BR-13565905 Sao Carlos - Brazil

• Document type: Review article
• Source: CHEMSUSCHEM; v. 14, n. 21 SEP 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Solar radiation is a renewable and clean energy source used in photoelectrochemical cells (PEC) to produce hydrogen gas as a powerful alternative to carbon-based fuels. Semiconductors play a vital role in this approach, absorbing the incident solar photons and converting them into electrons and holes. The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) occurs in the interface of the p-type semiconductor that works as a photocathode in the PEC. Cu-chalcopyrites such as Cu(In, Ga)(Se,S)(2) (CIGS) and CuIn(Se,S)(2) (CIS) present excellent semiconductor characteristics for this purpose, but drawbacks as charge recombination, deficient chemical stability, and slow charge transfer kinetics, demanding improvements like the use of n-type buffer layer, a protective layer, and a cocatalyst material. Concerning the last one, platinum (Pt) is the most efficient and stable material, but the high price due to its scarcity imposes the search for inexpensive and abundant alternative cocatalyst. The present Minireview highlighted the use of metal alloys, transition metal chalcogenides, and inorganic carbon-based nanostructures as efficient alternative cocatalysts for HER in PEC. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 19/26860-2 - Synthesis and modification of CuO/Ga2O4 and Cu2O/Ga2O4 nanostructured films applied in H2 production from water photoelectrochemical reduction of water
• Grantee: Hugo Leandro Sousa dos Santos
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 17/15144-9 - Metal-doped chalcogenides for application in intermediate band solar cells
• Grantee: Marcos Antonio Santana Andrade Junior
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 13/07296-2 - CDMF - Center for the Development of Functional Materials
• Grantee: Elson Longo da Silva
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research, Innovation and Dissemination Centers - RIDC
• FAPESP's process: 20/09000-7 - High efficient chalcogenide thin film devices for solar-to-fuel conversion
• Grantee: Arthur Corrado Salomão
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 17/12794-2 - Synthesis, characterization and application of MoS2 and WS2 films in photoelectrocatalysis for hydrogen production
• Grantee: Marina Medina da Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 17/11986-5 - Generation and storage of New Energy: bringing technological development for the country
• Grantee: Ana Flávia Nogueira
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research Centers in Engineering Program
• FAPESP's process: 14/50249-8 - Green chemistry: sustainable synthetic methods employing benign solvents, safer reagents, and bio-renewable feedstock
• Grantee: Arlene Gonçalves Corrêa
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research Centers in Engineering Program